>>Simon to File Supreme Court Petition Over GOP Power Grab in Minnesota House

(St. Paul, MN) — Secretary of State Steve Simon says he plans to file a petition with the Supreme Court after Minnesota House Republicans swore in members and elected a speaker without a quorum.   Simon presided over the opening of the session Tuesday and adjourned the House right away because there were not 68 members present.   G-O-P leaders then reconvened and elected Representative Lisa Demuth as House speaker.  Hamline University Professor David Schultz says state Supreme Courts usually don’t want to interfere in internal matters regarding the legislature, but this is a question of significant importance.  House Republicans will have a 67-66 majority pending the results of a January 28th special election.

 

>>Clark, Wolters Win Minnesota Senate District 60 Primary in Minneapolis

(Minneapolis, MN) – We now know the candidates on the ballot for the January 28th special election for Minnesota Senate District 60 in Minneapolis.  Doron Clark won the Democratic nomination in Tuesday’s primary and Abigail Wolters secured the Republican nomination.  The winner will fill the seat of the late D-F-L Senator Kari Dziedzic.  The Minnesota Senate is currently tied at 33 members each and the special election is expected to give Democrats back their one-vote majority.  The G-O-P and D-F-L are currently working under a power sharing agreement in the Senate.

 

>>Omar Applauds Biden for Removing Cuba as State Sponsor of Terrorism

(Washington, DC) — Congresswoman Ilhan Omar is applauding the Biden administration for removing Cuba from the state sponsor of terrorism list.   A senior White House official said Tuesday that “an assessment” has been completed, and the administration does not have information that supports Cuba’s designation as a sponsor of terrorism.   Omar says, “This is a step toward ending decades of failed policy that has only hurt Cuban families and strained diplomatic ties.”   The Minnesota Democrat visited Cuba last February.   Ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo designated Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism in January of 2021.

 

>>US Attorney for Minnesota Luger Resigning Tonight

(Minneapolis, MN) — This is the last day on the job for U-S Attorney for Minnesota Andrew Luger.   He’s officially stepping down at 11:59 pm.   Luger is finishing second term as the state’s top federal prosecutor.   He was appointed by President Biden in 2022 and served as U-S attorney from 2014 to 2017 under then-President Obama.   The incoming Trump administration is expected to appoint a new U-S attorney for Minnesota.   Luger says his office has made progress combatting violent crimes, child predators, fentanyl trafficking, and fraud.

 

>>St. Croix Hospice to Take Over Mayo Clinic System Hospice Care in SW MN

(Rochester, MN) — A healthcare organization from the Midwest is set to take over several hospice facilities in Minnesota that are currently operated by the Mayo Clinic Health System.   St. Croix Hospice has agreed to assume control of the M-C-H-S operations in southwestern Minnesota.   Officials did not specify the exact locations or the terms of the agreement.   The transition is expected to be completed by the end of March.

 

>>MN Judge Throws Out Expert Testimony After AI Used in Court Document

(St. Paul, MN) — A federal judge in Minnesota is dismissing an expert’s testimony after it was revealed that artificial intelligence was used to draft a court document.   The expert had submitted this testimony on behalf of the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office in a case challenging the state’s new law regarding election deepfakes.   Upon analysis, the document was found to contain citations that did not exist.   The expert acknowledged that he used ChatGPT to draft his document and requested an opportunity to submit an amended version of his testimony.   However, the judge ruled this submission had “shattered” the expert’s credibility with the court and denied the request.

 

>>Multiple Crews Respond to Fire at Fergus Falls Church; Damage to Exceed $500,000

(Fergus Falls, MN) — Damage from a fire at a church in Fergus Falls will likely exceed $500,000.   Fire crews were called to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church shortly after 9 Tuesday morning.   An attached school was evacuated.   As fire crews arrived, firefighters encountered moderate to heavy smoke in the office area and smoke pouring from the roof.   They deployed hose lines to the main level and the basement to confine the fire, which involved an enclosure surrounding the generator exhaust venting.   The fire then breached the enclosure and spread.   Crews were able to remove wall and ceiling material, and the roof decking to finally knock down the fire.   There was significant damage to portions of the church office and the church sanctuary had smoke damage.   Fire doors between the church and the school kept smoke damage to a minimum in the school.   It’s believed the fire followed the generator exhaust from the basement to the roof.   One firefighter suffered a cut from falling debris and was treated on-site and remained on scene.

 

>>Hormel CEO to Retire

(Austin, MN) — The C-E-O of Austin-based Hormel Foods, James P. Snee, is announcing his plans to retire after eight years in the position.   Snee has been with the company for 36 years, serving in roles including chairman of the board, president, and chief executive officer.   The company has established a search committee to find his successor, and Snee will remain with Hormel Foods as a strategic advisor to facilitate the transition.   In a statement, Snee expressed pride in the impactful and innovative work achieved during his tenure.

 

>>Minnesota Courts to Offer Free Weddings on Valentine’s Day

(St. Paul, MN) — Several district courts in Minnesota will be offering free wedding ceremonies this Valentine’s Day.   On February 14th, ten courthouses will host complimentary services.   The participating courts are located in Carlton, Cook, Chisago, Hennepin, Pine, Ramsey, St. Louis, and Washington counties.   Anyone interested in taking advantage of this offer is encouraged to contact the respective courts to register.

 

>>World Snow Sculpting Championship Begins in Stillwater

(Stillwater, MN) — Up to 50 thousand people are expected in Stillwater this week for the World Snow Sculpting Championship.   Stacie Jensen of the Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce says the artists start this morning (Wed) and work through Saturday afternoon.   There are 12 snow sculpting teams from around the world.   Afton Alps brought its snowmaking machines and built large piles of snow for the competition.   The public is encouraged to watch their progress as they transform huge blocks of snow in pieces of art.   Jensen says her favorite sculpture last year was a sea princess with 3-D flowing hair.

 

>>Minnesota Timberwolves Welcome Golden State Warriors to Target Center

(Minneapolis, MN) — The Minnesota Timberwolves play the Golden State Warriors tonight (Wed 8:30pm ) at Target Center.   Anthony Edwards scored 41 points in the Wolves’ 120-106 win Monday at the Washington Wizards.   Minnesota has won three straight road games.   The 21-and-18 Wolves are eighth in the Western Conference standings.  Golden State is a game under .500 at 19-and-20.

 

 

 

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